Elsie Shackcloth, a Cheadle resident, celebrated her 100th birthday on Thursday 30 May 2024. 

Her secrets to living a long life are "eating well, living well, and laughing". 

Originally from North Manchester, Elsie was born in St Mary's Hospital on Oxford Road in 1924. 

She is believed to be the oldest woman in Stockport - although not the oldest woman from Stockport! That accolade belongs to 104-year-old twin sisters Elma Harris and Thelma Barratt. 

Elsie grew up in Crumpsall, where she met her husband Joe Shackcloth. 

After living through the Second World War - Elsie at the Ministry of Food helping to oversee rationing, and Joe serving in the RAF - the pair got married in 1946.

During the Second World War, Elsie worked at the Ministry of Food, helping to oversee rationing and show how families could make meals with what little food there was available (Image - Wikimedia Commons / public domain)

The pair moved to the area in 1962, with their two children Paul and Jean, born in 1949 and 1951 respectively.  

Revisiting some of her memories, Elsie said: "I remember my dad owning his own greengrocers called Albert Haynes in Crumpsall and throwing me and my brother an apple every morning before we left for school every morning. 

"In those days, an apple was like gold dust, and with him running the fresh fruit and vegetables business we were around good food and always able to eat well. 

"So that's my secret, live well and eat well – oh, and don't forget to laugh along the way! Reaching your 100th birthday is like breaking a record in sport and have enjoyed celebrating!"

Elsie currently lives at Cheadle Manor Care Centre, in Cheadle. 

Home manager at Cheadle Manor, Helen Hartley, said: "To our knowledge, Elsie is the oldest female living in Stockport, and she is our first centenarian at Cheadle Manor. She is still incredibly alert [...]. It's incredible to make this milestone and we were determined to mark the occasion in style!"

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